Rethinking Regulated Medical Waste Management How to Avoid Wasting Money and Better Protect Public Health Kelly D. Moran, Ph.D., TDC Environmental

Bay Area Dioxins Project Bay Area municipalities adopted resolutions calling for the elimination of dioxins Set up joint project through the Association of Bay Area Governments Focus on P2 for current dioxins releases

Resources Available from the Bay Area Dioxins Project Screening Evaluation of Dioxins P2 Options for Municipalities Dioxins P2 resources for municipalities Medical Waste Chlorine-free Paper PVC Alternatives for Buildings $$ for Diesel Replacement or Retrofit Resources are on the Internet at

Dioxins— a Public Health Concern Dioxins may be altering the biochemical processes in our bodies. U.S. EPA doesn’t know whether these changes are adverse Dioxins cancer risks could exceed 1 in 1000 for the general population Actual risks are likely to be lower Many other adverse health effects (such as impacts on immune system function and diabetes) may occur at concentrations that are less than 10 times the average exposure of the U.S. population.

Incineration Emits Pollutants that Threaten Public Health Medical Waste Incinerator emissions One of nation’s largest dioxins sources Mercury & other pollutants also emitted Diesel hauling truck emissions Important Bay Area dioxins source Diesel engines are a major air pollution source Emissions in and upwind of regions where our food supply is produced

Incineration is Expensive and Prices are Going Up Limited Availability No off-site medical waste incinerators in California Waste hauled to Utah or Texas Few on-site hospital incinerators Don’t expect new incinerators Vendor consolidation—prices skyrocketing

Alternatives Save $$ Treating regulated medical waste is expensive A 250-bed hospital spends more than $100,000 per year to manage regulated medical waste Switching to an alternative off-site treatment could immediately save a hospital 10-20% Switching to an on-site autoclave saves 50% Only path, chemo & pharmaceutical waste require incineration.

Autoclaving—the Easiest Alternative Off-site autoclaving is available from your current vendor Installing an on-site autoclave is easier than installing any other on-site waste treatment method

Who’s Autoclaving Now? Many hospitals and labs autoclave on site Kaiser—Almost all hospitals Stanford Cheapest option—but requires management Vendors can autoclave your waste off-site Stericycle PWN Environmental Immediate cost savings

Poor Waste Segregation = Wasted Money Safely reducing regulated medical waste volumes can save 40 to 70% Keep trash out of the medical waste stream Employee training Place red bags where they don’t become trash bags Eliminate waste sources Re-usable products Recycle blue wrap

Keep Hazardous Waste Out of Red Bags Proper segregation of hazardous and radioactive materials is essential for worker and environmental safety Mercury Solvents

Medical Waste Management Resources for Hospitals 5 Fact Sheets and 1 Excel Worksheet Background: Why are Hospitals Rethinking Regulated Medical Waste Management? Frequently Asked Questions Permit Requirements for Installing Autoclaves at Acute Care Hospitals Autoclaving Cost Estimate Worksheet Vendor List Resources for Health Care Pollution Prevention